With sun-splashed days and starry nights, summer in Santa Fe County is spectacular. This high-desert destination in the foothills of the Rockies is packed with outdoor adventures and music concerts galore as well as vibrant festivals and markets you won’t find anywhere else. Experience glamping like never before and head into gorgeous wilderness to hike, bike or fish in clear mountain streams. At a long-running wine festival, discover New Mexico varietals from the country’s oldest wine-making region. Celebrate the Fourth of July with a uniquely vintage vibe. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a week-long getaway, you’ll revel in Santa Fe County’s summertime fun.
Unique Stays
Guided Adventures
For unique adventures led by a seasoned guide, stay at the world-renowned Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe. Carefully curated adventure programs offer an exciting array of experiences, from exploring biking around town and on mountain trails to historical and cultural excursions to Georgia O’Keeffe country, Bandelier National Monument and other fascinating places in northern New Mexico. After your outing, return to your enchanting resort and relax in the serene spa with a nutrient-rich adobe clay wrap followed by a massage or other spa services. End your day with dinner at the acclaimed Terra restaurant, serving regional flavors with global influences.
High-desert Glamping
A glamping getaway at KitFox immerses you in the stunning wilderness of the Galisteo Basin Preserve. By day, more than 40 trails are yours to explore. Back at base camp, enjoy an off-grid Dine in the Wild gourmet dinner of local, seasonal food prepared by Dig & Serve, producer of bespoke dining experiences. Then relax around the campfire beneath a star-studded sky before turning in to your luxurious tent, outfitted in chic décor. For added adventure, book your stay during a full moon or to see a meteor shower streak across the inky Southwest sky.
Happy Trails
The majestic Galisteo Basin Preserve is a wondrous place to connect with nature. Once sprawling ranch lands that now are protected, the preserve offers scenic hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, surrounded by 10,000 acres of prairie grasslands, winding arroyos, sandstone formations and other pristine wilderness. The sweeping mountain views and wide open skies will take your breath away.
Family Fun in the Park
It’s great to greet the resident elk, mountain lions and other animals any time of year at Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood, a 122-acre wildlife refuge park and enhanced zoo. But stop by during summer for barrels of fun at the park-hosted concerts, festivals and other family events.
Enjoy live music on summer Saturday evenings during Wildlife West Family Music Festivals, featuring two bands per evening in the all-weather amphitheater. Food trucks are on hand to make sure you have plenty to eat. The line-up includes the Watermelon Mountain Jug Band, the Desert Mountain Drifts and many other area bands.
July 1, 15 and 29; August 12 and 26; and September 2, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Celebrate the fabled lore of the high seas during the Pirate and Viking Summer Bash, with mermaids, storytellers and other entertainers along with 100 vendors selling crafts, food, craft beer and mead.
Saturday, August 19, Noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, August 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The season winds down with the annual Harvest and Fiber Festival, celebrating the region’s traditions and cultural heritage with local foods, music and fiber artists demonstrating yarn spinning and other techniques.
Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
wildlifewest.org/wwblog
Honoring the Grapes of New Mexico
Raise a glass to the wines of New Mexico at the 29th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Wine Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas. Sample wines from vintners around New Mexico, savor local foods and buy local art and crafts. Live music provides a festive backdrop and a chance to dance the day away during the longest-running wine festival in Santa Fe County.
Saturday July 1 and Sunday, July 2, noon to 6 p.m.
Event Information
Fly Fish the Pecos
For some of the best fly fishing in New Mexico, head to the beautiful Pecos River in Pecos National Historical Park, home to more than 1,000 years of rich and layered history. Spend the day angling for trout along this scenic river, surrounded by inspiring mountain views. Fishing permits are required and reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance. The summer fishing season runs from June 8 through July 31. Find all the details on our website:
Fourth of July Fun
Celebrate Independence Day with the historic mining town of Madrid. The High Noon Parade on Main Street is followed by the Pie Walk at Connie's Photo Park, where you can sample delicious pies made by local bakers. Tuesday, July 4 starting at noon. Show up early for the annual 4th of July baseball game between Madrid Miners and the East Mtn Riffraff at the Oscar Huber Memorial Ballpark, the first lighted ballpark in New Mexico, and possibly North America. The ballpark is an integral part of Madrid’s history, built by the Employees Club in 1920 during the heyday of the coal mining era. Game time is 10 a.m.
madridculturalprojects.weebly.com/community-calendar
For 4th of July fun and a glorious fireworks display, head to Santa Fe Place Mall, where the celebratory event begins at 4 p.m., with music by local bands Lumbre del Sol, Una Mas y La ChaCha and the Alex Maryol Band. Check out the food trucks and a beer garden, and plenty of kid’s activities, such as balloon twisting, face painting and a bounce house carnival. After dark, the skies will be illuminated by a dazzling fireworks display, hosted by the Santa Fe Kiwanis Club and the City of Santa Fe.
The Many Sounds of Music
Live music from local and legendary performers will fill the air this summer thanks to Lensic 360, a new program from the Lensic Performing Arts Center. The impressive schedule is jammed with local and visiting bands and musicians who will play around the region. A few of the many highlights include singer-songwriter James McMurtry on the Santa Fe Plaza on Tuesday, July 18 at 6 p.m. and country rock kings, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at the Lensic on Friday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. Looking ahead at the Santa Fe Opera, Lyle Lovett takes the stage with the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, September 3, and Modest Mouse rocks it on Thursday, September 21 followed by a double bill of Lila Downs and Angelique Kidjo on Saturday, September 23, all at 7:30 p.m. Check out the full schedule here:
Tour Architectural Treasures
Historic churches in northern New Mexico are architectural wonders and works of art, made of thick adobe walls, graceful arches and rustic spires. Discover these architectural gems built across the centuries on our self-guided itinerary.
Don’t-miss Events
The International Folk Art Market has a new home this year in the Santa Fe Railyard. More than 150 master folk artists travel from around the globe to take part in the world's largest place to buy folk art. Meet the artists and shop their handcrafted jewelry, clothing, textiles, ceramics, paintings, sculpture and dozens of other one-of-a-kind treasures. Take a virtual trip around the globe as you sample live world music, dance and food.
Thursday, July 6 through Sunday, July 9
folkartmarket.org
Discover the unique arts and crafts made by hundreds of area Hispanic artists during the 71st Annual Traditional Spanish Market on the Santa Fe Plaza. Shop for jewelry, weaving, tin work, devotional arts and other traditional Spanish Colonial arts and crafts. The market also includes art demonstrations, live music, dancing and regional fare. The world’s largest Contemporary Hispanic Market takes place simultaneously, featuring diverse work by New Mexico Hispanic artists.
Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30
2023-traditional-spanish-market
The Burning of Will Shuster’s Zozobra, a.k.a. Old Man Gloom, is set for Friday, September 1. Burn away your gloom as the 50-foot tall menacing marionette blazes into ash amid the roar of the crowd on the Fort Marcy Ball Park. It’s the 91st Annual Burning of Zozobra and the gates will open at 4 p.m. Be there! Pre-ticket sales are already booming. Get yours here:
https://burnzozobra.com/
When you purchase a ticket to attend the Burning of Will Shuster’s Zozobra, you’re helping to raise money for the children of our Santa Fe Community. The Santa Fe Kiwanis Club keeps this cherished event alive and funds programs that help our youth in the community.
To explore more Santa Fe County events, visit: https://santafenmtrue.com/events.
Get ready for summer fun in Santa Fe County! We're looking forward to seeing you. SantaFeNMtrue.com and be sure to follow us on social media.